I strongly oppose the…

I strongly oppose the proposed interim changes and eventual repeal of Ontario’s Endangered Species Act (ESA) as outlined in Bill 5, the “Protect Ontario by Unleashing our Economy Act, 2025.” These changes will significantly weaken protections for Ontario’s most vulnerable wildlife and habitats.

- The new legislation prioritizes economic development over science-based conservation, undermining the precautionary principle and the integrity of biodiversity protection.

- Allowing Cabinet, rather than independent scientific experts, to decide which species receive protection politicizes the listing process and risks excluding species for economic reasons, not scientific necessity.

-The redefinition of “habitat” drastically narrows the areas protected, leaving critical ecosystems-such as foraging grounds and migration corridors-open to development and destruction.

-Replacing recovery strategies and stewardship programs with a “registration-first” approach and voluntary conservation initiatives removes essential safeguards, transparency, and accountability. Developers will be able to proceed with projects immediately after registration, with minimal oversight and no requirement for meaningful mitigation.

-The removal of mandatory recovery planning and the weakening of permit conditions will accelerate the decline of already imperiled species and could push some to extinction.
Ontario’s ESA is a cornerstone of our environmental responsibility and a model of science-based policy. Repealing or weakening it threatens not only wildlife but also the ecological health and natural heritage of the province for future generations.

I urge the government to halt these changes and maintain strong, science-driven protections for species at risk. Our wildlife, ecosystems, and communities deserve better stewardship.